Chapter 15

Design data
Introduction
This chapter brings together useful information available elsewhere,
but in a more convenient form. Much of this information has
been extracted directly from the Timber Structures Standard, ZS
3603 : 1993 including amendments I to 4. This chapter provides handy
references to the " k" factors and stre tables and infom1ation on the
deri vation of design trengths. This document is intended to assist
designers using NZS 3603. lt is not an alternative or substitute for the
Standard, which should be consulted for more complete information.

Design methods
Timber design in accordance with ZS 3603 i based on the "limit
states" method of design and refers to the Structural Design Actions
Standard, AS ZS 1170. The designer should be familiar with the
requirements of both NZS 360 and AS/NZS 1170. When a structure,
or part of it, fails to fulfill basic functions , it is said to have reached a
" limit state". Two limit states are identified, namely
the serviceability limit state and
the ultimate limit state.
The serviceability limit state (SLS) deals with deformation and
deflection limits which affect the appearance or function of a
building. The ultimate limit state relates to the strength and stability
of all or part of a building. The ultimate limit tate (ULS) is deemed
to be satisfied if the structural timber members are proportioned so
that their design strengths are not less than the actions produced by
the facto red design loads from AS/NZS 1170.

Terminology
The terminology used in this Guide follows the definitions given by
Paulay and Priestly 1 Vertical actions on a structure from gravity and
self-weight are called loads. All other external actions on a structure,
including those from wind and earthquake are called forces. The
resulting internal effects such as axial force, shear force and bending
moment are called internal actions.

Design actions
The design actions and their combinations are prescribed in the
Structural Design Actions Standard AS ZS 1170, for both ultimate
strength and serviceability limit states design.

149

For the ultimate limit state, the main load combinations in AS!NZS
1170.0 are given in Table 15 . 1:

Table 15.3 Strength reduction factor for

design of timber members and connections.

Table 15.1 Combinations of actions.

Load

Combination

Dead load only (permanent)

1.35G

Dead and live load (medium duration)

1.2G & 1.5a

Gravity plus downward wind

1.2G & 'ilea & W"

Gavity plus upward wind

0.9G & Wu

Earthquake combination

G& liJp &E"

Snow combination

1.2G & 'Ilea & S"

Timber, poles and glulam,

G is permanent load (dead load )

a is imposed load (live load)
W is wind force
E."is seismic force, and
s. is snow load

'iJ factors used for combinations of actions.

Short-term
fa ctor ('IJ.)

Long-term
factor ('IJ,)

Combinati on
factor ('IJJ

Floors for residential ,

domestic, office or retail use.

0.7

0.4

0.4

Floors for storage

1.0
0.7

0.6
0.0

0.6
0.0

1.0

0.4

0.4

0.7
1.0

0.6
0.0

0.6
0.0

Imposed action
Distributed imposed actions, Q

Roofs
Concentrated imposed actions, Q
Residential & domestic
floors
Other floors
Roofs

Nails in lateral loading

0.8

Toothed metal plate connection

0.8

Other types of fasteners

0.7

Plywood and LVL

0.9

Actions derived from the strength of

ductile elements under large
displacements

1.0

Design for fire resistance

1.0

Stress tables

The 1jJ factors used to combine these action are given in Table
15 . 1. For the serv iceability limit tate, load combinations and typical
criteria (from ZS 1170.0) are given in Table 16.1.
Table 15.2

0.8

Characteristic stresses for sawn timber round

timber , structural plywood, laminated veneer
lumber and glulam are given in Tables 15.4
to 15 .9.
Some of these tables have a va lue for
Elb which is the lower bound modulus of
elasticity - this is the lower 5%ile value
which should be used for the design of
deflection-critical members where there is no
possibi lity of load sharing to other members.
Single roof beams or lintels are members for
which Elb should be used .
For systems with 2 or 3 members acting
together the modulus of elasticity Y2
(E+EIJ is used . Refer to NZS3603: 1993,
Amendment 4.

Design strength
Design strengths are defined as the product of the relevant
strength reduction factor, characteristic stress, section property,
and modification factors for the condition expected in service.
Characteristic stresses (as tabulated on the following pages) are those
stresses which can safely be su tained by a particular grade of timber
at a specified moisture content under briefly applied loads. In ZS
3603, the strength reduction factor <P has values given in Table 15.3.

View of 86 m long glulam bridge, Rotorua.

Curved glulam portal frames and straight timber purlins.

150

Table 15.4 Characteristic stresses for visually graded t imber, radiata pine and Douglas fir.
1. Moisture conditi on - Dry (m/c = 16%)
Grade

Bending

Compression
parallel

fb
(MPa)
20.0
14.0
10.0

fc
(MP a)

(MPa)

20.0
18.0
15.0

8.0
6.0
4.0

VSG10
VSG8
No. 1 Framing

Tension

Shear in
beams

Compression
perpendicular

Modulus of
elasticity

Lower bound
modulus of elasticity

'

fp
(MPa)
8.9
8.9
8.9

E
(GPa)
10.0
8.0
6.0

E,b
(GPa)
6.7
5.4
4.0

r,

(MPa)

2. Moisture condition- Green (m/c = 25%)

GB
11.7
12.0
4.0
2.4
5.3
6.5
4.4
No. 1Framing
7.5
11.0
3.0
2.4
4.8
5.3
3.2
NOTES Shear strength for dry Radiata pine shall be taken as f5 = 3.8 MPa . Shear strength for dry Douglas fir shall be taken as f5 = 3.0 MPa.
Modulus of rigidity shall be taken as G = E/15.
No. 1 Framing grade is not verified and is not subject to in-mill monitoring of strength and stiffness properties. No. 1 Framing is visually
graded to the requirements of NZS 3631.
VSG grades shall be verified as required by NZ 3622 .
VSG10 and VSG8 for green use are visual grades that have been verified in the dry condition .
GB is a visual grade that has been verified in the green condition.
The green condition stresses and modulii values shall be used where the grades shown are used in service conditions where the moisture
cond ition may be 25% or over. The durability requirements of NZS 3602:2003 must also be met.

Table 15.5 Characteristic stresses for dry mechanically graded timber, radiata pine and Douglas fir.
Grade

Tension

Bending

Compression
parallel

fb
(MPa)

fc
(MPa)

MSG15
MSG12

41.0
28.0

35.0
25.0

23.0
14.0

8.9
8.9

15.2
12.0

11.5
9.0

MSG10
MSG8

20.0
14.0

20.0
18.0

8.0
6.0

8.9
8.9

10.0
8.0

7.5
5.4

MSG6

10.0

15.0

4.0

8.9

6.0

4.0

Shear in
beams

Compression
perpendicular

Modulus of
elasticity

Lower bound
modulus of
elasticity

r,

fs

(MPa)

(MPa)

fp
(MPa)

E
(GPa)

E,b
(GPa)

NOTES:
Shear strength for dry radiata pine shall be taken as

r. =3.8 MPa. Shear strength for dry Douglas fir shall be taken as f = 3.0 MPa.
5

Modulus of rigidity shall be taken as G = E/15.

MSG grades shall be verified as required by NZS 3622.

Table 15.6 Characteristic stresses for naturally round softwood timbers in the green condition.
Outer zone density
Category

Minimum

Property
Bending

Compression
parallel

fb
(MPa)

fc
(MPa)

(M Pa)

52
38

25
21

31
23

(kg/m 3 )

High
Normal

450
350

Tension

r,

Shear

Compression
perpendicular

(M Pa)

'

fp
(MPa)

Modulus of
elasticity
E
(GPa)

3.5
3.1

9.0
8.8

1.1
8.7

NOTE :
The outer zone density is the basic density (oven dry weight/volume in green condition) in the outer 20% of the radius.

151

Table 15.7 Characteristic stresses for dry structural plywood.

Stress
grade

Bending

Tension

fb

f,

(MP a)

(MPa)

Panel
shear

Rolling
shear

'

f
r

(MPa)

(MPa)

Bearing
normal to the
plane of the
sheet

Modulus
of
elasticity

Modulus
of rigidity

fc

fp

(MPa)

(MPa)

E
(GPa)

G
(MPa)

Compression
in the plane of
the sheet

2.4
20
14.0
700
F17
50
30
6.8
40
12.0
25
6.1
2.2
15
625
F14
40
30
10.5
20
5.3
1.9
25
12
525
F11
35
9.1
20
9.7
455
F8*
25
15
4.7
1.7
1.5
15
7.7
F7
20
12
4.2
7.9
345
*F8 is the most commonly available stress grade for plywood in New Zealand . F11 and other stress grades have limited availability.
For extremely high strength hardwood plywood grades and their characteristic values, refer to AS/NZS2269.
E is the short duration average modulus of elasticity
G is the short duration average modulus of rigidity

Table 15.8 Characteristic stresses for dry LVL (laminated veneer lumber).
Bending

Product

Compression
parallel

Tension
parallel

Shear in
beams

Compression
perpendicular

Modulus of
elasticity

'

fp

(MPa)

(GPa)
13.2

fb

fc

f,

(MPa)

(MPa)

(MPa)

CHH hySPAN

48

45

33

5.3

12

CHH Hy90

35

28

19

5.3

10

9.0

Nelson Pine LVL10

48

45

30

6.0

12

10.7

(MPa)

Table 15.9 Characteristic stresses for dry GL grades of glulam.

Grade

Bending

Compression
parallel

Tension

fb

fc

f,

Shear in
beams

'

(M Pa)
(MPa)
(MPa)
GL18
50
25
50
GL17
42
35
21
33
16
GL13
33
GL12
25
12.5
29
22
GL 10
11
26
10
GL8
19
24
GL grades greater than GL 10 can be difficult to obtain in radiata pine.

(MPa)
5.0
3.7
3.7
3.7
3.7
3.7

Modulus of
elasticity

E
(GPa)
18500
16700
13300
11500
10000
8000

Modulus of
rigidity
G
(GPa)
1230
1100
900
770
670
530

GL grades greater than GL 12 can be difficult to obtain in Douglas fir.

Equivalence to other standards

Design methods

Designers occasionally have to design to other standards such as

Eurocode 5 or the Chinese code GBJ-5. Usually the only problem is
to know bow New Zealand grades equate to the grades cited in those
standards. The approximate equivalence between the MSG grades and
those listed in EN338 and GB50005 is given in Table 15. 10.

Deflection

Table 15.10 Equivalence between NZ, European and Chinese

structural timber grades.
Country

Reference

NZ
Europe
China

NZS3603
EN338
GB50005

152

Grade
MSG6

MSG8
C16
M10

MSG10
C22
M22

MSG12
C27
M30

MSG15
C40
M40

Initial elastic deflections can be calculated

using standard engineering analysis. NSZ
3603 specifies that allowance for long term
deflection be made by multiplying the
calculated elastic deflection for each part of
the load by the duration of load factor for
deflection k2 corresponding to that part of the
load, as given in Table 15.11
The reason for the lower creep in glulam is
that the members are generally much larger
than sawn timber on which the creep factors
are based . The greater size means that the
member cannot respond to fluctuation s in

atmospheric humidity and so experience

the changes in moisture content which are
the princi pal cause of creep deformations in
timber

be checked using the value of k1 pertaining to the load of shortest

duration in each combination.

Table 15.11 Duration of load factor k1 for deflection.

Strength

k2

In general, the design strength is given by

S* :S <j>R"
where S* i the design action from the
factored load combinations and <j>R, is the
design strength where
R, is the nominal strength of the member,

Duration of load

Moisture content
at time of
loading

For bending ,
compression or
shear

For
tension

12 months or more

25% or more

3.0

1.5

12 months or more

18% or less

2.0*

1.0

2 weeks or less

Any

1.0

1.0

*For glue laminated timber use 1.5

and
<j>

is the strength reduction factor

Ln bending, for examp le as shown in Chapter

16, the design equation for bending strength
is:
where

Table 15.12 Duration of load factor k1 for strength.

Duration of load

Type of load

k1

Permanent

Dead loads and live loads that are essentially

permanent such as stores (including water tanks
and the like), library stacks, files , fixed plant,
soil.

0.6

Medium

Snow loads, live loads, crowd loads, concrete

formwork , vehicle, pedestrian, and livestock
loads. Erection loads and maintenance loads.

0.8

Brief

Wind , earthquake, impact and pile driving loads.

1.0

M* is the design level of bending moment,

resu lting from the factored applied loads

M" is the nominal bending strength, given

by:

M,,

= kfbZ

where

Ji, = characteristic stress in bending

Z = section modulus
k = product of all the modification factors
ap propriate to the service conditions

Bearing area factor k3

The bearing area factor adjust the bearing strength for the area of
timber loaded in compression perpendicular to grain. This factor
will apply for the end supports of beams or end bearing of columns.
For values of k3 see Figures 15 . 1 and 15.2. The value of k3 may be
calculated from Is = I + 1.2e<xl35 3>

Some of the commonly used k factors are

show n below.
Designers should refer to ZS 3603 for
consideration of other items including:
Strength of notched beams
Radial stresses in tapered members
Design for combined stresses

Duration of load factor for strength

kl
The du ration of load factor for strength
recognises that timber has a greater strength
under briefly applied loads than under long
tenn loads. For design k 1 is chosen according
to the duration of the shortest component of
the total load.

Length of bearing
surface for the
design of the joist

Figure 15.1 Length of bearing surface (from NZS 3603).

Table 15.12 gives factor k 1 and examples of

types of loads appropriate to different load
duratio ns. All combinations of loads shou ld

153

Grid system factor k5

2.0
f-

1.8

1--

The grid system factor is used when a bea m

system supports an overlying set of members
or sheathing having significant bending
stiffness. It app lies to the bending, bearing,
and shear strength of beams. The factor k5 is
given in Chapter 16.

1.6

\
!\.
~

["-.

1.2

1'---

r- r-

1.0

Stability factor k8

100

50

150

200

. Length of bearing surface (mm)

Figure 15.2

Bearing area

Ca lculation of the stability factor k8 for

columns is described in Chapter 17, and for
beams in Chapter 16.

factor~

Parallel support factor

The parallel support factor k_, can be used when two or more elements
are connected o that they are constrained to the same deformation, as
shown conceptually in Figure 15.3. Th is apparent increase in strength
results from the natural variability of strength and stiffness in timber
members of a given size and grade. If a single member is carrying
the load, the strength is based on the 5th percentile (or characteristic)
strength of the population. If several members share the load, a higher
design strength can be used because of the probability of stronger
members being in the system. Factor k4 a lso recognises that weaker
timber is generally less stiff, which means that it can shed load to
stiffer and stronger pieces. The factor k4 is tabulated in Table 15 .9 or
may be ca lculated from:

where n is the number of elements sharing the load.

The parallel support factor k4 shall not be used for design of
engineered wood products with low variability such as LVL because
the precise properties of such materials give much less advantage
from load sharing.

Table 15.13 Parallel support factor k4

Number of elements carrying a common load

1.00

Compression at angle to grain

Characteristic stress in compression at
angles to grain other than 0 or 90 may be
calcu lated from Hankinson 's formula

or from /

0= fc - (.t,_.- JP)sine

The first equation (Hankinson 's formul a)

is used in NZS 3603 . The second equati on
(obtained from CIB W 18) is simpler to use
and provides similar answers.

k = (1- o.323/ Fn)o.667

k.

The stability factor considers the effects of

elastic instability on strength of beams and
columns .

9 or more

1.14

1.20

1.24

1.26

1.28

1.30

1.31

1.32

Effect of variations in
moisture content
Characteristic values for any product should
be stated at the correct moisture content for
design. In NZS 3603 this is 16% for dry
timber and 25% or more for green timber.
Tab le 15.14 provides adjustments to find
values at any moisture content. Strictly
speaking these adjustments apply only to
small defect-free specimens of timber (small
c lears) and may be invalid in some cases
for structural timber and for panel products.
Direct measurements on the product in
question is always to be preferred.

Glue laminated timber

Strength

Figure 15.3 Parallel support system (from NZS 3603}.

154

GL grades are perfonnance-based, meani ng

that they are manufactured to have the
characteristic properties listed in Table 15 .9.
GL grades of glue laminated timber are
verified for strength as described in Chapter 5.

Table 15.14 Moisture content adjustments

tor strength properties.

% reduction for
each 1% increase in
moisture content

Property
Modulus of rupture
(bending strength)

Compression parallel
to grain

Compression
perpendicular to grain

Shear strength

The design equation for curved members stressed in the opening

mode is:

1.5

Modulus of elasticity

The design equation for curved members stressed in the c losing mode
is:

In addition to factors k 1 to k 5 and k8 described

above for sawn timber, the following k factors
appl y specifica lly to glue-laminated timber.

Curvature factor k 23
The curvature factor allows for the additional
stress induced in laminations that are bent to a
tigh t radiu to form curved glulam members.
It i not applied to straight members with a
slight cam ber. 's3 i applied to the bending
strength of curved members and is given by:

t,
k,3 = 1 - 2000 -

where

Radial stresses in curved or tapered members

The strength of curved g lut am tlexural members needs to be checked
to ensure that fai lure does not occur due to stresses perpendicular
to the grain . If the bending tends to increase the radius of curvature
(bending in the opening mode), the stresses will be in tension
perpendicular to the grain (splitting). If the bending tends to decrease
the radius of curvature (bending in the c losi ng mode), the stresses wi ll
be in compression perpendicular to the grain (crushing).

where

if> is the trength reduction factor

k1 is the duration of load factor for strength
k4 is the load sharing factor for number of beams
f. is the characteristic hear tre s
j p is the characteri tic bearing stress perpendicular to the grain
R is the radius of curvature at mid-depth of the section
b is the breadth of the section
d is the depth of the section

Design equations for tapered or pitch cambered beams are given in

zs 3603.

1 = lamination thickness

Plywood

R = radius of curvature

Lamination and size factors

and

k 24

The previous lamination factor k6 and the

ize factor kN have been deleted with the
introduction ofGL grades because the GL
grades are performance grades which are
pec ifica lly manufactured to give the assigned
characteristic stresses.

Strength
The de ign strength of plywood is obtained in a simi lar manner to
that for awn timber except that account must be taken of the different
contributions of veneer parallel and perpendicular to the direction
of app lied stress. This is done by calcu lating section properties as
described in AS ZS 2269 or in Appendix F of ZS 3603 . Con ult
individual manufacturers ' literature for ection properties. Section
properties for standard plywood layu ps are given in Chapter 22.
Radiata pine plywood is made with veneer qualities A, 8 , S, C and D,
which are defined in AS ZS 2269 and illustrated in Chapter 8.

Moisture content
Strength should be modified according to the expected in-service
moisture content in accordance with Tab le 15.15.

k 15 face grain orientation factor

When plywood is stressed at angles to the face grain other than 0
or 90, the strength or stiffness should be modified by the face grain
orientation factor k 15 from ZS 3603 .
Shallow glulam arches in aircraft hangar roof.

155

Table 15.15 Effect of moisture content on plywood strength (from

NZS 3603).
Duration of load

Type of load

k1

Permanent

Dead load and live loads that are

essentially permanent such as stores
(including: water tanks and the like),
library stacks, files , fixed plant, soil

0.6

Medium

Snow loads, live loads, crowd

loads, concrete formwork, vehicle,
pedestrian, and livestock loads.
Erection and maintenance loads

0.8

Wind , earthquake, impact and pile

driving loads.

1.0

Brief

Poles
Strength
The characteristic stresses for poles listed in Table 15.6 are based on
in-grade testing for the major species of softwoods, which are radiata
pine, Corsican pine, Douglas fir and larch. If in-grade test results are
not available for po les of other species, characteristic stresses can be
obtained from small clears data. The characteristic stress is calculated
askp times the mean property of small clear specimen test results.
For poles in bending, kp is 0. 71 for modulus of rupture, and 1.05 for
modulus of elasticity.
Additional k factors for poles are given below

Peeling or shaving factor k 20

The peeling or shaving factor k20 allows for the effect of bark removal
which usuall y removes the reinforcement provided by the swellings
assoc iated with knots. The effect depends on the amount of swelling
removed. Machine pee ling removes some of the swelling while
shaving p roduces a smooth tapered or cylindrical form. k 20 is given in
Table 15.16.

Steaming factor k 21
The steaming factor k21 applies when the preservative treatment
involves steaming, such as occurs with the alternating pressure or
oscillating pressure methods. k21 is given in Table 15.16.

Dry use factor k 2 2

The dry use factor k22 considers the increase in wood strength and
stiffness with dry conditions and is applied to poles or parts of poles
that are dry. k22 is given in Table 15.16.
Table 15.16 Pole strength modification factors k 20 k 21 and k 2 z"
Factor k
Applied to
or
reor
fb

'
E

f,
fp

Peeling
0.90
1.00
1.00
1.00

Shaving
0.85
1.00
1.00
0.95

Factor k ,

Factor k 22

Steaming
0.85
0.90
0.90
0.95

Dry use
1.25
1.25
1.06
1.12

Alternative species
Occasionally it is necessary to design members in species that are
not listed in ZS3603 , for example to check the adequacy of an

156

historic structure or if a client has some

timber they particularly want to use. Collins2
has addressed this topic for the design of
members in houses. There are generally
questions about strength, stiffness and
durability. The best advice currently available
is in New Zealand TimbeiJ . Another good
source is Wood in Australia".
The derivation of design properties from small
clears data has been described by BierS. For
most cases it is sufficient to know the average
modulus of elasticity (MoE), since the design
MoE for structural timbers is approximately
the same as that from small clears and th is
is usually the critical property. Knowing the
species average MoE allows grouping into
YSG/MSG categories as shown in Table
15.17.
If strength is critical, then the timber will
need to be inspected to see that knots are less
than 25% of the cross section which is the
maximum size of knots expected in YSG 8
radiata pine. The issue of verification does
not arise because that was introduced to
deal with problems of variable properties in
radiata pine.

Derivation of
characteristic stresses
Characteristic stresses are those stresses that
can safely be sustained by a particular size
and grade of timber at a specified moisture
content under briefly applied loads. As
defined in ZS 3603 , characteristic stress
or strength is an estimate of the lower
5th-percentile value determined with 75%
confidence, from tests on a representati ve
sample of full size test specimens. For
stiffness properties, the characteristic value is
the mean value.

Sawn timber
The most reliable characteristic stresses for
structural timber products are those derived
from testing sawn timber in the sizes and
grades used in structures (in-grade testing).
Because of the costs involved this has been
done only on a few sizes ofradiata pine sawn
timber in bending and tension. The more
traditional method is to modify strength
properties obtained from small clear (defectfree) specimens of timber.
With recent moves away from visual gradi ng
to a system of verified strength classes,

the need for derivation of characteristic

stresses for structural timber has diminished .
However, if a producer wants to market nonstandard grades or species for engineering
uses, it i neces ary to derive characteristic
stresses for design, from the results of ingrade testing as follows:
Test methods and data analysi for in-grade
testing are described in joint Au tralian!New
Zealand Standard AS ZS 4063. Briefly
tated, the 5th-percentile strength of the
population is estimated with 75% confidence
usi ng:

R
Rk = 1- 2.7vR
Fn 0.05
where

R005 is the 5th-percentile strength value from

in-grade testing
vR is the coefficient of variation of the
strength va lues
n i the number of pecimens tested
(mi nimum 30)

Section properties and

design strengths
ection properties and design strength are
given in Tables 15.19 to 15 .22. Call izes are
the rough sawn dimensions used to cut wet
logs into board . The boards are treated, kiln
dried, planed and graded to give the sizes in
the beam tables. For timber that is treated and
then planed wet, the sizes are slightly more
to allow for some shrinkage in service, but
shrinkage is variable. So for example (in mm)
a nomina l I 00 x 50 is 90 x 45 a a kiln dried
size, and 94 x 4 7 in the wet planer-gauged
ize. When a 94 x 47 shrinks, it will become
approximately 92 x 46. The tables are
conservative on the in-service dry size.
For glu lam, the table izes are the finished
sizes, and for LVL the sizes are the minimum
expected sizes after gluing with tolerances as
specified in AS ZS4357, typica lly -0, +2 in
the th ickness.
Properties in the tables are shown in Table
15. 18.

Glulam portal frame building.

Table 15.17 Species grouped by modulus of elasticity.

5 to 7

Range of MoE (GPa)

9 to 11
11 to 13

7 to 9

>13

MSG6

MNSG8

MNSG10

MSG12

MSG15

Redwood

Corsican pine

Larch

Mountain Beech

Lusitanica

Macrocarpa

Kahikatea

Red beech

Hard
beech

Ponderosa

Matai

Kauri

Silver beech

Rewarewa

Poplar

Miro

Tawa

Cedar

Rimu

Lawsons
cypress

Table 15.18 Geometric properties in tables.

Quantity

Rectangular
section

Dimension
Dimension
Area
Section modulus
Moment of inertia

b =breadth
d =depth
A=bd
Z=bd 2 /6
I= b d3 /12

Circular section
R =radius
A= n R2
Z =n R3 / 4
I= n R4 /4

Further reading
1. Seismic Design of Reinforced Concrete And Masonry Buildings.
T. Paul ay and M.J. . Prie tley. John Wiley & Sons, ew York, 1992 .
2. Alternatives to radiata pine for house framing to ZS3604. M.J .
Collins. NZ T imber Design Journal, Vo l. 6, Issue 2, pp 14-24. 1997
3.

New Zealand Timbers.

Wellington, ISB

4.
ISB

.C. Clifton. GP Publications,

1 86956 1147, 1994. Reprinted by FRI 2003.

Wood in Australia. K.R. Bootle. McGraw-Hill Book Co. Sydney,

0 07 451047 9.1983.

5.

Derivation of timber design stresses in New Zealand. H. Bier.

Proceedings of Pacific Timber Engineering Conference, pp760-767.
1984.

157

Section properties of dry timber, MSGB and VSGB grades

Table 15.19

Nominal
depth
mm

Actual
breadth
mm

Actual
depth
mm

50

75

45

50

100

45

50

125

45

50

150

45

50

200

45

50

250

45

50

300

45

290

Nominal
breadth
mm

Area

Weight

El

Bending strength
cj>

k 1 f b Z (kNm) for k 1 =

Nmm 2x10 9

0.60

0.80

1.0

1.29

10

0.25

0.33

0.41

2.73

22

0.41

0.54

0.68

52

0.73

0.97

1.21

82

0.99

1.32

1.65

206

1.82

2.43

3.03

415

2.90

3.87

4.84

732

4 ..24

5.65

7.06

0.85

1.06

mm 2x10 3

kN/m

mm 3 x106

70

3.15

0.016

0.037

90

4.05

0.020

0.061

120

5.40

0.027

0.108

6.48

140

6.30

0.032

0.147

10.3

190

8.55

0.043

0.271

25.7

240

10.80

0.054

0.431

51 .8

13.05

0.065

0.631

91.5

mm4 x106

75

100

70

:m

0.30

0.032

0.095

4.25

34

0.64

75

150

70

140

9.80

0.049

0.229

16.0

128

1.54

2.05

2.56

75

200

70

190

13.30

0.067

0.421

40.0

320

2.83

3.77

4.72

75

250

70

240

16.80

0.084

0.672

80.6

645

4.52

6.02

7.53

6.59

8.79

10.99

0.82

1.09

1.36

75

300

70

290

20.30

0.102

0.981

142

1138

100

100

90

90

8.10

0.041

0.122

5.47

44

100

150

90

140

12.6

0.063

0.294

20.6

165

1.98

2.63

3.29

100

200

90

190

17.1

0.086

0.542

51.4

412

3.64

4.85

6.06

100

250

90

240

21.6

0.108

0.864

104

829

5.81

7.74

9.68

100

300

90

290

26.1

0.131

1.262

183

1463

8.48

11 .3

14.1

100

350

90

340

30.6

0.153

1.734

295

2358

11 .7

15.5

19.4

100

400

90

390

35.1

0.176

2.282

445

3559

15.3

20.4

25.6

NOTES Check availability of large non-standard sizes

Strength reduction factor 1/J = 0.8

Modulus of elasticity E = 8.0 GPa

Table 15.20

Characteristic bending stress fb = 14.0 MPa

Section properties of dry glulam beams, GLB grade

Breadth

Depth

mm

mm

No. of
lams.

Area

Weight

El

mm 2x10 3

kN/m

mm 3 x106

mm x10 9

Nmm 2
x10'2

Bending strength
cj>

k, fb Z (kNm) fork, =

0.60

0.80

1.0

65

180

11 .7

0.059

0.35

0.032

0.25

3.20

4.27

5.34

65

225

14.6

0.073

0.55

0.062

0.49

5.00

6.67

8.34

65

270

17.6

0.088

0.79

0.107

0.85

7.20

9.60

12.0

65

315

20.5

0.102

1.07

0.169

1.35

9.80

13.1

16.3

65

360

23.4

0.117

1.40

0.253

2.02

12.8

17.1

21 .3

65

405

26.3

0.132

1.78

0.360

2.88

16.2

21 .6

27.0
33.4
40.4

65

450

10

29 .3

0.146

2.19

0.494

3.95

20.0

26 .7

65

495

11

32.2

0.161

2.65

0.657

5.26

24 .2

32 .3

90

225

0.101

0.76

0.085

0.68

6.93

9.23

11 .5

270

5
6

20.3

90

24.3

0.122

1.09

0.148

1.18

9.97

13.3

16.6

90

315

28.4

0.142

1.49

0.234

1.88

13.6

18.1

22 .6

90

360

32.4

0.162

1.94

0.350

2.80

17.7

23.6

29.6

90

405

36.5

0.182

2.46

0.498

3.99

22.4

29.9

37.4

90

450

40.5

0.203

3.04

0.683

5.47

27.7

36.9

46.2

90

495

8
9
10
11

44.6

0.223

3.68

0.910

7.28

33.5

44.7

55.9

90

540

12

48.6

0.243

4.37

1.18

9.45

39.9

53.2

66.5

90

585

13

52.7

0.263

5.13

1.50

12.0

46.8

62.4

78.0

90

630

14

56.7

0.284

5.95

1.88

15.0

54.3

72.4

90.5

90

675

15

60.8

0.304

6.83

2.31

18.5

62.3

83.1

104

90

720

16

64 .8

0.324

7.78

2.80

22.4

70.9

94.6

118

90

765

17

68.9

0.344

8.78

3.36

26.9

80.1

107

133

158

Area

Weight

El

mm 2x10 3

kN/m

mm 3 x106

mm x10 9

Nmm2
x10'2

0.60

0.80

1.0

18

72.9

0.365

9.84

3.99

31 .9

89.8

120

150

19

77.0

0.385

11 .0

4.69

37 .5

100

133

167

900

20

81 .0

0.405

12.2

5.47

43.7

111

148

185

135

270

36.5

0.182

1.64

0.221

1.77

15.0

20.0

24.9

135

315

42.5

0.213

2.23

0.352

2.81

20.4

27.2

33 .9

135

360

48.6

0.243

2.92

0.525

4.20

26.6

35.5

44 .3

135

405

54.7

0.273

3.69

0.747

5.98

33.7

44.9

56.1

135

450

10

60.8

0.304

4.56

1.03

8.20

41 .6

55.4

69.3

135

495

11

66.8

0.334

5.51

1.36

10.9

50.3

67 .0

83.8

135

540

12

72 .9

0.365

6.56

1.77

14.2

59.8

78 .8

00.7

2.25

18.0

70.2

93 .6

117

2.81

22.5

81.4

109

136
156

Breadth

Depth

mm

mm

90

810

90

855

90

No. of
lams.

Bending strength

cp k, r. z (k m) for k,=

135

585

13

79.0

0.395

7.70

135

630

14

85.1

0.425

8.93

135

675

15

91 .1

0.456

10.3

3.46

27 .7

93 .5

125

135

720

16

97 .2

0.486

11 .7

4.20

33.6

106

142

177

135

765

17

103

0.516

13.2

5.04

40.3

120

160

200

135

810

18

109

0.547

14.8

5.98

47.8

135

180

224

135

855

19

115

0.577

16.4

7.03

56.3

150

200

250

135

900

20

122

0.608

18.2

8.20

65.6

166

222

277

135

945

21

128

0.638

20.1

9.49

76.0

183

244

305

135

990

22

134

0.668

22.1

10.9

87 .3

201

268

335

135

1035

23

140

0.699

24.1

12.5

99.8

219

293

366

319

399

346

433

135

1080

24

146

0.729

26.2

14.2

113

239

135

1125

25

152

0.759

28.5

16.0

128

260

180

270

48.6

0.243

2.19

0.295

2.36

20.0

26.6

33.2

180

315

56.7

0.284

2.98

0.469

3.75

27.2

36.2

45.3

180

360

64.8

0.324

3.89

0.700

5.60

35.5

47.3

59.1

180

405

72.9

0.365

4.92

0.996

7.97

44.9

59.8

74.8

180

450

10

81 .0

0.405

6.08

1.37

10.9

55.4

73.9

92.3

180

495

11

89 .1

0.446

7.35

1.82

14.6

67.0

89.4

112

180

540

12

97 .2

0.486

8.75

2.36

18.9

79.8

106

133
156

180

585

13

105

0.527

10.3

3.00

24 .0

93.6

125

180

630

14

113

0.567

11 .9

3.75

30.0

109

145

181

180

675

15

122

0.608

13.7

4.61

36.9

125

166

207

15.6

5.60

44 .8

142

189

236

180

720

16

130

0.648

180

765

17

138

0.689

17.6

6.72

53.7

160

213

267

180

810

18

146

0.729

19.7

7.97

63.8

180

239

299

180

855

19

154

0.770

21 .9

9.38

75.0

200

267

333

180

900

20

162

0.810

24.3

10.9

87.5

222

295

369

180

945

21

170

0.851

26.8

12.7

101

244

326

407

180

990

22

178

0.891

29.4

14.6

116

268

358

447

180

1035

23

186

0.932

32 .1

16.6

133

293

391

488

180

1080

24

194

0.972

35.0

18.9

151

319

426

532

180

1125

25

203

1.013

38.0

21.4

171

346

462

577

180

1170

26

211

1.053

41 .1

24 .0

192

375

499

624

180

1215

27

219

1.094

44.3

26.9

215

404

539

673

180

1260

28

227

1.134

47.6

30 .0

240

434

579

724

180

1305

29

235

1.175

51 .1

33.3

267

466

621

777

180

1350

30

243

1.215

54.7

36.9

295

499

665

831

180

1395

31

251

1.256

58.4

40.7

326

532

710

887

1440

32

259

1.296

62.2

44 .8

358

567

756

946

180
NOTES -

Thickness of laminations is 45mm

Strength reduction factor cp = 0.8

Modulus of elasticity E = 8.0 GPa.

Characteristic bending stress f0 = 19.0 MPa

159

Table 15.21 Section properties of laminated veneer lumber beams.

Depth

Area

mm

mm

mm x10

36

150

36

200

Breadth

Weight

kN/m

mm x106

mm x106

5.40

0.027

0.135

10.13

7.20

0.036

0.240

24 .0

36

240

8.64

0.043

0.346

41.5

36

300

10.8

0.054

0.540

81 .0

45

150

6.75

0.034

0.169

12.7

45

200

9.00

0.045

0.30

30.0

45

240

10.8

0.054

0.432

51 .8

45

300

13.5

0.068

0.675

101

45

360

16.2

0.081

0.972

175

45

400

18.0

0.090

1.2

240

63

200

12.6

0.063

0.42

42.0

63

240

15.1

0.076

0.605

72.3

63

300

18.9

0.095

0.945

142

63

360

22.7

0.113

1.36

245

63

400

25.2

0.126

1.68

336

63

450

28.4

0.142

2.13

478

63

600

37.8

0.189

3.78

1134

90

150

13.5

0.068

0.338

25.3

90

200

18.0

0.090

0.600

60.0

90

240

21 .6

0.108

0.864

104

90

300

27.0

0.135

1.35

203

90

360

32.4

0.162

1.94

350

90

400

36 .0

0.180

2.4

480

NOTE:
See manufacturers' data for strength tables and sizes produced in each strength brand .
Larger sizes are possible for frame design , up to 1200mm deep.

160

Table 15.22 Section properties of steamed, shaved, normal density poles.

Design strength of pole in bending
Diameter

Area

Dry weight

mm

mm 2 x10 3

kN/m

mm 3 x10 6

mm x106

0.6

0.8

1.0

75

4.42

0.022

0.041

1.55

0.546

0.728

0.910

100

7.85

0.039

0.098

4.91

1.29

1.73

2.16

125

12.3

0.061

0.192

12.0

2.53

3.37

4.21
7.28

4J k 1 f b Z (kNm) for k1 =

150

17.7

0.088

0.331

24.9

4.37

5.82

175

24.1

0.120

0.526

46.0

6.93

9.25

11 .6

200

31.4

0.157

0.785

78.5

10.4

13.8

17.3

225

39.8

0.199

1.12

126

14.7

19.6

24.6

250

49.1

0.245

1.53

192

20.2

27.0

33 .7

275

59.4

0.297

2.04

281

26 .9

35.9

44.8

300

70.7

0.353

2.65

398

34.9

46.6

58.2

325

83.0

0.415

3.37

548

44.4

59.2

74.0

350

96.2

0.481

4.21

737

55.5

74.0

92.5

375

110

0.552

5.18

970

68.2

91 .0

114

400

126

0.628

6.28

1256

82.8

110

138

NOTESTable prepared for machine shaved, steamed poles in the green condition with "normal" category outer zone density.
Characteristic bending stress fb = 38 MPa
Strength reduction factor

r/J =

0.8

k4 = k 5 = k 8 = 1.0 for both bending and compression

Machine shaved, hence k 20
Steamed, hence k 21

=0.85 for bending, k20 =1.00 for compression

=0.85 for bending , k =0.90 for compression.

21

For poles with "high" category outer zone density multiply values by appropriate stress ratio.
For shaved or unsteamed or dry poles multiply values by appropriate k factor ratio - see Table 15.15.

Legislation and standards

Legislation
Relevant legislation is available from www.legislation.govt.nz.
The Building Act 2004

Department of Building and Housing documents

A wide range of building-related documents are available including:
The Building Regulations 1992 (amended)
The ew Zealand Building Code (First schedule to the Building Regulations)
ew Zealand Building Code Compliance Documents and Building Code Handbook, including the fo llowing:
Section B 1 Structure [88 pages]
Section B2 Durability [24 pages]
Section C Fire Safety [228 pages]
Section E2 External Moisture [184 pages]
Weathertightness publications
Sector publications

New Zealand Standards and Australian/ New Zealand Standards

Most of these are from the Standards New Zealand and Standards Australia websites
www.standard .co.nz and www.standards.com.au.
Check these sites for updates.
Important standards are listed below in increasing numerical order, sorted into broad categories.

161

STRUCTURAL ACTIONS STANDARDS

AS/NZS 1170.0 Structural design actions- General Principles
AS ZS 1170.1Structural design actions- Permanent, imposed and other actions
AS ZS 1170.2 Structural design actions - Wind actions - Wind actions
AS/NZS 1170.3 Structural design actions - Snow and ice actions
NZS 1170.5 Structural design actions - Earthquake actions

TIMBER AND RELATED STANDARDS

AS ZS I 080. 1: 1997 Timber- Methods of test- Method I: Moisture content
AS/NZS I 080.2.1 : 1998 Timber- Methods of test- Method 2.1 : Slope of grain by scribe
AS/NZS I 080.2.2: 1998 Timber- Methods of test- Method 2.2: Slope of grain by reference to surface checks
AS ZS I 080.2.3: 1998 Timber- Methods of test- Method 2.3: Slope of grain by splintering
AS ZS I 080.2.4:i 998 Timber- Methods of test- Method 2.4: Compound slope of grain
AS ZS I 080.3:2000 Timber- Methods of test- Method 3: Density
AS/NZS 1148:200 I Timber- omenclature- Australian , New Zealand and imported species
AS/NZS 1328. 1:1998 Glued laminated structural timber- Performance requirements and minimum production
requirements
AS ZS 1328.2: 1998 Glued laminated structural timber - Guidelines for AS/NZS 1328: Part I for the se lection, production
and installation of glued laminated structural timber.
AS ZS 1491: 1996 Finger jointed structural timber
AS/NZS 1604.2: 2004 Specification for preservative treatment- Reconstituted wood-based products
AS/NZS 1604.3:2004 Specification for preservative treatment- Plywood
AS ZS 1604.4:2004 Specification for preservative treatment - Laminated veneer lumber
AS ZS 1604.5:2005 Specification for preservative treatment- Glued laminated timber products
AS/NZS 1605:2000 Methods for sampling and analysing timber preservatives and preservative-treated timber
AS/NZS 1748:2006 Timber- Mechanically stress-graded for structural purposes
AS/NZS 2878:2000 Timber- Classification into strength groups
ZS 360 I: 1973 Metric dimen ions for timber (amended)
ZS 3602 :2003 Timber and wood-based product for use in building
NZS 3603:1993 Timber Structure Standard (amended)
NZS 3604:1999 CD-ROM Timber Framed Buildings- CD-ROM version
NZS 3604: 1999 Timber Framed Buildings (amended)
ZS 3605 :200 I Timber piles and poles for use in building
ZS 3606: 1987 Specification for the manufacture of glue laminated timber
NZS 3607:1989 Specification for round and part-round timber fence posts
NZS 3609: 1978 Specification for timber ladder (amended)
NZS 3618 : 1984 Mechanical stress grading of timber
ZS 3619: 1979 Specification for timber windows
ZS 3622:2004 Verification of timber properties (amended)
ZS 3631 :1988 New Zealand timber grading rules
NZS 3640:2003 Chemical preservation of round and sawn timber (amended)
AS/NZS 4063:1992 Timber- Stress-graded- In-grade strength and stiffness evaluation
S Z/PAS 4244:2003 Insulation oflightweight-framed and so lid-timber houses
AS/NZS 4364:1996 Adhesives, phenolic and aminoplastic, for load-bearing timber structures: Classification and
performance requirements
AS/NZS 4490: 1997 Timber- Stress-graded - Procedures for monitoring structural properties
AS/NZS 4491:1997 Timber- Glossary of terms in timber related Standards
AS/NZS 4787:200 I Timber- Assessment of drying quality
AS 5068. Timber- Finger joints in structural products - Production requirements.
ANSI 05 . 1-1972 Specifications and dimensions for wood poles (American National Standards Institute)

VENEER AND PLYWOOD STANDARDS

AS/NZS 2097:2006 Methods for sampling veneer and plywood
AS/NZS 2098.0:2006 Methods of test for veneer and plywood - General introduction and Iist of methods
AS ZS 2098.1:2006 Methods of test for veneer and plywood- Moisture content of veneer and plywood
AS/NZS 2098.2:2006 Methods of test for veneer and plywood- Bond quality of plywood (chisel test)
AS/NZS 2098.3:2006 Methods of test for veneer and plywood - Bond quality and strength of scarf joints in plywood
AS/NZS 2098.4:2006 Methods of test for veneer and plywood - Measurement of dimensions and shape for sheets of veneer
and plywood

162

ASINZS 2098.5:2006 Methods of test for veneer and plywood- Resi tance of gluelines in plywood to attack by microorganisms
ASINZS 2098.6:2006 Methods of test for veneer and plywood - Depth of peeler checks in veneer and plywood
ASINZS 2098.7:2006 Methods of test for veneer and plywood- Density of veneer and plywood
ASINZS 2098.8:2006 Methods of test for veneer and plywood - Water ab orption and thickness swelling of unpainted
plywood
ASINZS 2098.9: 1995 Methods of test for veneer and plywood - Procedures for in-grade testing of structural plywood
ASINZS 2098.11 :2005 Methods of test for veneer and plywood -Determination of formaldehyde emissions for plywood
ASINZS 2269:2004 Plywood - Structural (amended)
ASINZS 2270:2006 Plywood and blackboard for interior use
ASINZS 2271 :2004 Plywood and blackboard for exterior use (amended)
ASINZS 2272:2006 Plywood - Marine

LAMINATED VENEER LUMBER STANDARDS

ASINZS 4357.0:2005
AS/NZS 4357.1 :2005
AS/NZS 4357.2:2006
(amended)
AS/NZS 4357.3:2006
methods
AS/NZS 4357.4:2005

Structural laminated veneer lumber - Specifications

Structural laminated veneer lumber- Method of test for measurement of dimension and shape
Structural laminated veneer lumber (LVL)- Determination of structural properties- Test methods
Structural laminated veneer lumber (LVL)- Determination of structural properties- Evaluation
Structural laminated veneer lumber- Determination of formaldehyde emis ions

FIRE STANDARDS
AS ZS 1530.3: 1999 Methods for fire tests on building materials, component and structures- Simultaneous determination
of ignitability, flame propagation, heat release and smoke release
AS 1530.4:2005 Methods for fire tests on building materials, components and structures- Fire-resistance test of elements
of construction

Other important timber sta ndards

ISO and ASTM standards are used in Australia and ew Zealand for a range of testing procedures for ew Zealand and
overseas markets and some of these standards have been used in the development of ew Zealand and Australasian
standards.

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